Hyperextension back brace



Nov. 30, 1965 c. CONNELLY 3,220,407

HYPEREXTENSION BACK BRAGE Filed Oct. 8, 1962 INVENTOR /\//CHOLAS C. CO/V/VELLV Bywaiwl ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,220,407 HYPEREXTENSIGN BACK BRACE Nicholas C. Connelly, Eaton Rapids, Mich, assignor to S. H. Camp & Company, Jackson, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 229,039 1 Claim. (Cl. 128-78) The invention pertains to a surgical body brace, and particularly relate to a hyperextension brace for ambulatory patients such as that used in producing hyperextension of the lower thoracic and lumbar regions.

Hyperextension braces using three-point leverage systems wherein the brace includes portions engaging the sternum and pubic body regions and a back-encompassing member engaging the lumbar region, have proven effective in the treatment of vertebra problems such as simple compression fractures.

It is an object of the invention to provide a hyperextension brace of this type which is characterized by its ability to widely distribute the pressures produced thereby over the patients body so as to alleviate localized pressure upon the bladder and to produce superior lateral stability and hyperextension. The improved distribution of pressure produced by the brace results in greater comfort to the wearer without sacrificing therapeutic requirements, and the brace construction is so as to provide improved lateral stability over known devices, due to the use of downwardly extending side pieces, and more widely distributes the pressure over the lower abdomen and lateral halves of the ilium, than known devices, with the attendant important advantage of preventing pressure upon the bladder.

The increased comfort and improved therapeutic advantages produced by the brace of the invention largely result from the fact that the brace employs side pieces which anchor in the trochanteric region and support a rigid pelvic band which is padded throughout its length whereby the pressures applied to the pelvic region are widely spread acros the lower torso and the pelvic basin is used as a foundation whereby the pressure is widely distributed over the lower abdomen and prevents discomfort due to localized pressure upon the bladder. Also, the use of a pelvic band, rather than a pelvic pad which produces generally localized bladder pressures and doe not use the pelvic basin as a foundation, provides greater comfort when the patient is in the sitting position, and a band also produces more lateral stability than the pad-type pelvic-engaging apparatus employed in the prior art, especially when employed with the extended side pieces.

These and other objects of the invention arising from the details and relationships of the components of an embodiment thereof will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational right front view of a hyperextension brace in accord with the invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevational perspective left front view of the brace,

FIG. 3 is an elevational back view of the hyperextension brace as fully assembled showing the back of the lumbar region engaging support,

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the brace of the invention,

FIG. 5 is an elevational, sectional view of the pelvic band showing the padding associated therewith, as taken along section VV of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, detail elevational, sectional view of the sternal support bar insert, hinge and sternal pad, taken along section VIVI of FIG. 1.

Basically, the hyperextension brace of the invention ice consists of a generally rectangularly shaped rigid framework including torso-engaging left and right side members 10 and 12, respectively, a sternal support bar generally indicated at 14, and a pelvic band 16. The lumbarengaging pad 18 extends rearwardly from the framework, and is adjustably attached to the side members 10 and 12.

As will be later apparent, means are provided whereby the horizontal width of the upper portion of the brace framework may be varied and, also, the spacing between the sternal bar support and the pelvic band may be adjusted.

The torso-engaging side members 10 and 12 are of a rigid nature and may be formed by enclosing an aluminum core within synthetic plastic and padded coverings. The side members 10 and 12 each include an upper portion 29, and an extended lower portion 22, and the edge 24 would be designated a forward portion while the edge 26 is a back or rear portion. As will be apparent from FIG. 4, the side members are of curved configuration to generally conform to the torso configuration, the lower portion 22 being outwardly disposed with respect to the central and upper portion so as to overlap and anchor on the ilium.

The lower portions 22 of the side members 10 and 12 are enlarged with respect to the forward-to-rear direction whereby increased area contact with the lateral halves of the ilium is provided and, also, the increased dimensions in the lower portions provide spaced connection points for attachment of the ends of the pelvic band 16 thereto. The metal core of the side members is preferably encased within a covering which includes, at an outer side, an attractive, easily cleanable covering 28 such as one of the commercially available plastic or synthetic leather coverings. The inside of the side members is padded with a foam material, or the like, and provided with a soft outer covering 30 such as leather or simulated leather. The lateral edges of the inner and outer coverings 28 and 30 extend beyond the metal core whereby the inner and outer coverings may be stitched together to maintain the coverings upon the metal core in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 5. The side members 10and 12 are each provided with a body-protecting flap 32 which protects the wearer from the lumbar pad adjusting and clamping means, as will be later apparent. The flaps 32 are formed by the inner and outer coverings 28 and 30 and are preferably stitched together at a seam 34, which functions as a hinge permitting the flap to readily deflect with respect to the associated side member.

The sternal pad support bar 14 preferably consists of three separate elements which are formed of a rigid material such as aluminum. The sternal pad support bar includes right and left elements 36 and 38, having lower portions 40, which are adjustably attached to the upper portions 20 of the side members in a manner which will be later described. The elements 36 and 38 are so formed as to have a central portion 42 extending above and forwardly with respect to the associated side members. A portion 44 of the elements is positioned to be generally perpendicularly disposed to the associated portion 40, whereby the portions 44 may be attached, by adjustable means, to the rigid insert 46 on which the sternal pad 48 is hingedly mounted. The elements 36 and 38, and the insert 46, need not be padded or covered as only the sternal pad 48 engages the wearer at the upper torso regions.

The sternal pad 48 is preferably of a rigid construction, having an aluminum core 42, and being covered on the outer surface by an attractive, synthetic covering 50. The inner surface of the sternal pad is padded at 51 and provided with a soft covering 52 in a manner similar to that of the side members and band 16. Stitching along the peripheral edges of the pad 48 maintains the assembly of the pad coverings on the core.

As best shown in FIG. 6, hinge means pivotally attach the sternal pad 48 to the insert 46. The hinge includes a strap 54 which is centrally attached to the insert 46 by screws 56, or similar fasteners, and a strap 58 which is attached to the core of the sternal pad. The hinge pin 60 pivotally interconnects the straps 54 and 58. As the hinge pin 60 is disposed in the horizontal direction parallel to the length of the insert 46, the pad 48 may then pivot to conform itself to the most comfortable position on the wearer.

Adjustment of the elements 36 and 38 upon the side members 10 and 12 is accomplished through a plurality of evenly spaced, linearly disposed holes 62 formed in the element portions 40, FIG. 2, and the upper portion of the side members. The holes defined in the side members are not visible in the drawing, but are preferably threaded whereby screw fasteners 64 may extend through the holes 62 defined in the elements 36 and 38 and be received within the threaded holes of the side members. The spacing between the holes of the elements and the side members is equal, and a greater number of holes is provided in the side members than is formed in the elements, whereby the elements may be selectively aligned with the desired holes to adjustably position the elements in the vertical direction with respect to the side members. As shown in FIG. 1, the screws 64 also attach the plate 66 to the outerside of the associated element 36. The plate :64 has a clip 68 attached thereto, having an offset portion spaced from the plate 64 on which a shoulder 70 is formed. At the left element 38, a pair of screws 64 attach a hooked clip 72 to the outer side of the side element. The clip 72 releasably receives a buckle 74 which is employed with the lumbar pad support belt, constituting a portion of the adjustment means therefor.

The horizontal width of the upper portion of the brace framework may be adjusted through screws 76, which extend through linearly disposed, evenly spaced holes 78 defined in element portions 44. Like spaced, linearly disposed holes 80 are formed in the insert 46, and are threaded for receiving the screws 76. A greater number of holes 80 are formed on the insert than in the elements, whereby selective attachment of the elements to the insert is provided to vary the spacing between the element portions 44 and, thus, the spacing of the upper portions 20 of the side members. It will be appreciated that the adjustment structure of the elements 36 and 38, and insert 46, is identical to that between the elements and the side members 10 and 12.

The pelvic band 16 is of a rigid construction, having an aluminum core 82, FIG. 5, an outer covering 84 of synthetic, attractive material, and an inner surface construction including foam material 86 covered by a soft leather-like covering 88. The coverings 84 and 88 are stitched together at their peripheries, maintaining the assembly of the core and coverings. The assembly of the coverings and padding of the side members and the sternal pad is similar to that of the pelvic band. The pelvic band 16 is provided with the padded construction throughout its length, and includes ends which are attached to the lower regions of the side members by rivets 92, FIG. 1. The pelvic band 16 is of a relatively narrow, vertical dimension of approximately two inches and extends forwardly from the side members and 1 2. The central region 94 of the pelvic band extends downwardly so as to fit the pelvic girdle. As the pelvic band is so formed and constructed as to engage the body throughout its length between the side members and the lateral halves of the ilium at the end regions, the pressure distributed by the pelvic band is widely dispersed and the brace employs the entire pelvic basin as the foundation and, thus, provides superior comfort to the wearer.

The lumbar-engaging portion of the brace includes a lumbar support pad 18, which is of a relatively stiff, yet flexible material, having an inner padded surface and edges, and an inner covering 96 which engages the lumbar region. At the back of the lumbar support pad 18 a belt-receiving member 98 is sewn, whereby a fabric belt 100 may be inserted therethrough. One end of the belt 100 is provided with appropriate binding to permit attachment of the adjustment strap 102. The strap 102 is of metal having worm gear-receiving perforations formed therein. A carriage slide 104 is mounted upon the strap 102 having a worm gear screw mounted therein, rotatable by a thumb knob 106. The carriage slide 104 is provided with a hook on the underside for engaging the clip 68, whereby rotation of the thumb knob 106 will draw the strap 102 forwardly with respect to the slide 104. A more detailed appreciation of the interrelationship between the strap 102 and the carriage slide 104 will be appreciated from United States Patent No. 2,395,273.

The other end of the belt 100 is inserted through the buckle 74, which is held within the clip 72. The buckle 74 may be of any conventional configuration which per mits adjustability as to the .point of fastening upon the belt. Thus, it will be appreciated that the buckle 74 provides the initial adjustment of the lumbar pad, and the belt and carriage slide .104 provide the final tightening of the belt to firmly attach the brace to the wearer.

To mount the brace upon the wearer, the belt 100 and lumbar pad 18 are removed from the brace. Measurements of the wearer have already been taken and the desired adjustment of the elements 36 and 38 upon the side members, and relative to insert 46, is provided by the selected positioning of screws 64 and 76, respectively. The brace is located upon the patients body while the patient is recumbent, so the pad 48 fits over the sternum about one inch below the sternal notch. The lumbar pad is located at the smallest part of the back, and the pelvic band 16, is positioned so as to fit the pelvic girdle. In a properly fitted brace, theside members 10 and 12 will be at, or slightly behind, the midaxilla and will clear the ilium and just touch the thoracic cage. The downward extending side portions 22 overlap the lateral portions of the ilium to anchor the brace in the trochanteric region and this provides a lateral stability which prevents tilting of the brace relative to the torso. The carriage slide 104 is then positioned remotely from the associated belt end and the carriage slide is hooked to the clip 68 under shoulder 70. The buckle 74 is affixed to the belt 100 and clip 72 at a location which will fit the lumbar pad into the small of the back, and rotation of the knob 106, to draw the strap 102 through the carriage slide 104, tightens the brace on the wearer to the final adjustment which snugly locates pad 18 upon the back, producing the de sired three-point hyperextension condition.

Therefore, it will be appreciated that the use of the pelvic band, downwardly extending side portions and pivoting sternal pad provides improved characteristics over those present with prior art braces, and it is appreciated that modifications to the disclosed embodiment may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended that the invention be defined only by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A hyperextension body brace characterized by its lateral stability and ability to uniformly distribute the pressure created thereby comprising, in combination, a frame including a pair of rigid side members having upper, lower, front and rear portions, a sternal bar element aifixed to the upper portion of each of said side members and extening above and forwardly with respect to the associated side member, an insert interposed between said elements, means adjustably aflixing said insert to said elements whereby the spacing between said elements and side members may be adjusted, a sternal pad, hinge means pivotally mounting said sternal pad upon said insert, said lower side member portions including downwardly extending lateral flared ilium-engaging portions adapted to overlap the lateral regions of the ilium, a rigid pelvic basin-engaging band of substantially uniform vertical dimension bridging the lower portions of said side members having ends affixed to said side member lower portions substantially normally disposed thereto, said band extending forwardly from said side members, a central portion defined on said band intermediate the ends thereof, said central 10 portion extending downwardly with respect to the ends of said band, padding mounted upon the inside of said band throughout its length, a lumbar-engaging pad mounted upon and extending between said side members and extending rearwardly thereof, and means adjustably mounting said lumbar-engaging pad relative to said side members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 970,781 9/1910 Battershall 128-78 [2,582,930 1/1952 Jewett 128-78 2,808,050 10/1957 Ward 128-78 2,886,031 5/1959 Robbins 128-78 3,094,984 6/1963 Jewett l28-78 OTHER REFERENCES The Military Surgeon, Bradford et al., January 1946, pages 40, 41, and 42 relied on.

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, volume 30-A, No. 3, July 1948, pages 784 and 785 relied upon.

Orthopedic Appliance Atlas, 1952, page 222 relied upon.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner. 

